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Planetary News: The Planetary Society (2008)James Bell Named New President of The Planetary SocietyBoard of Directors Adds Two New MembersOctober 21, 2008Planetary scientist Jim Bell was named the newest President of The Planetary Society at the organization’s semi-annual Board meeting, held this week in Boston. Neil deGrasse Tyson stepped down as president, but will remain on the board. The board also added two new members: Alexis Livanos, corporate vice president and President of Northrop Grumman’s Space Technology sector; and Bijal "Bee" Thakore, Regional Coordinator for Asia Pacific, Space Generation Advisory Council.
Bell, a professor of astronomy at Cornell University, is also the lead scientist for the Pancam color imaging system on the Mars Exploration Rovers and has written two books about his Mars work: Postcards from Mars and Mars 3-D: A Rover’s Eye View of the Red Planet. He has also been actively or previously involved as a science team member of the NASA Near-Earth Asteroid Rendezvous, Mars Pathfinder, Mars Odyssey, Comet Nucleus Tour, Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter, Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter, and Mars Science Laboratory missions. Bell has been a Planetary Society Board member since 2005 and served as the science team liaison for The Planetary Society's Red Rover Goes to Mars student program and the MarsDial experiment on the Spirit and Opportunity rovers. He is a member of the American Astronomical Society, the International Astronomical Union, the American Association for the Advancement of Science, and the American Geophysical Union. His scientific studies primarily focus on the geology, chemistry, and mineralogy of planets, moons, asteroids, and comets using data obtained from telescopes, laboratory studies, and spacecraft missions. He is the fifth President of the Society, succeeding Carl Sagan, Bruce Murray, and Wesley T. Huntress Jr., Neil deGrasse Tyson.
As corporate vice president and president of Northrop Grumman’s Space Technology sector, Livanos is responsible for the strategic direction and operations of the sector, which develops a broad range of systems at the leading edge of space, defense, and electronics technology. The sector builds space science satellites, and is currently leading the effort to build the James Webb Space Telescope. His efforts promote international awareness of the importance of obtaining accurate, comprehensive, and timely environmental information that will enable governments and businesses worldwide to adapt to today’s critical environmental challenges. Livanos also serves on Northrop Grumman’s corporate policy council. During his career, he has participated in the successful launch of 45 satellites and has more than 30 years experience in research and applications in the fields of microelectronics, solid-state physics, electro-optics and signal processing. Recently he has been a leading spokesman on the importance of observing the Earth and recognizing global climate change as a national security issue.
Thakore is currently the Regional Coordinator for youth space activities in Asia Pacific region for the Space Generation Advisory Council in support of the United Nations Programme on space applications. She also represents activities of young people internationally as a liaison for the 2009 International Year of Astronomy. She has represented The Planetary Society at the United Nations, initiating a new Non-Governmental Organization Committee focused on space. Thakore serves as a technical consultant for a number of global clients including LEGO System A/S. She also worked for the X PRIZE Foundation, where she helped devise new prize concepts. The Planetary Society’s Board also issued a statement affirming that we cannot lose sight of the importance and long-term economic benefit of maintaining a strong commitment to space exploration. The Planetary Society’s other Board members include Chairman Dan Geraci, Vice President Bill Nye, Executive Director Louis Friedman, Heidi Hammel, Scott Hubbard, Wesley T. Huntress, Jr., Lon Levin, Chris McKay, Bruce Murray, Elon Musk, Joseph Ryan, Steven Spielberg, and George Yancopoulos.
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